Monday, August 11, 2008

Website Links

Audubon of Kansas: http://www.audubonofkansas.org/

Kansas Scenic Byways website: http://www.ksbyways.org/

Kansas State Historical Society: http://www.kshs.org/

Kansas State Fairgrounds: http://www.kansasstatefair.com/, Hutchinson, KS

Kansas Territorial History: http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/ (government documents, diaries, letters, photographs, maps, newspapers and historical artifacts)

Kansas Towns: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_Kansas

Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses: www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower

Kansas Wildlife and Natural Heritage Trails website: http://www.kansaswildlifetrails.org/

National Scenic Byways website: http://www.byways.org/

Nature-based Activities: http://www.naturalkansas.org/

Official Kansas Visitors Guide : http://www.travelks.com/ (from visitors centers at the border or Kansas Department of Commerce Travel & Tourism Division)

Ready-Made Adventures: http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?SSID=3 (11 Trip Planners with suggested amount of time to take and places to see for different areas and subjects of Kansas)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: http://www.fws.gov/

Kansas State Parks

Kansas State Parks: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/ (State park regulations available at Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks - KDWP website). Use the State Park websites to obtain the weather, water conditions, campground information, fishing, fees, regulations, hiking and bicycle trails, horse riding, etc.

Cedar Bluff State Park – Ellis, KS 785-726-3212
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Cedar-Bluff

Cheney State Park – Cheney, KS 316-542-3664
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Cheney

Clinton State Park – Lawrence, KS 785-842-8562
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Clinton

Crawford State Park – Farlington, KS 620-362-3671
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Crawford

Cross Timbers State Park – Toronto, KS 620-637-2213 http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Cross-Timbers

Eisenhower State Park – Osage City, KS 785-528-4102 http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Eisenhower

El Dorado State Park – El Dorado, KS 316-321-7180
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/El-Dorado

Elk City State Park – Independence, KS 620-331-6295
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Elk-City

Fall River State Park – Toronto, KS 620-673-2213 http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Fall-River

Glen Elder State Park – Glen Elder, KS 785-545-3345 http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Glen-Elder

Hillsdale State Park – Paola, KS 913-783-4507
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Hillsdale

Kanopolis State Park – Marquette, KS 785-546-2565
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Kanopolis

Lovewell State Park – Webber, KS 785-753-4971
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Lovewell

Meade State Park - Meade, KS 620-873-2572
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Meade

Milford State Park – Milford, KS 785-238-3014
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Milford

Mushroom Rock State Park - Marquette, KS 785-546-2565 (contact Kanopolis State Park) http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Mushroom-Rock

Perry State Park – Ozawkie, KS 785-246-3449
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Perry

Pomona State Park – Vassar, KS 785-828-4933
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Pomona

Prairie Dog State Park – Norton, KS 785-877-2953
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Prairie-Dog

Prairie Spirit Trail State Park – Garnett, KS 785-448-6767
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Prairie-Spirit-Trail

Sand Hills State Park – 316-542-3664 (contact Cheney State Park) http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Sand-Hills

Scott State Park – Scott City, KS 620-872-2061
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Scott

Tuttle Creek State Park – Manhattan, KS 785-539-7941
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Tuttle-Creek

Webster State Park – Stockton, KS 785-425-6775
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations/Webster

Wilson State Park – Sylvan Grove, KS 785-658-2465 http://kdwp.state.ks.us/index.php/news/State-Parks/Locations/Wilson

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Kansas Scenic Byway Routes

For more details, visit http://www.ksbyways.org/. Additional websites and/or e-mail next to each byway.

Flint Hills Scenic Byway – 75 miles from exit 313 on I-70 (or Council Grove, KS - 48 miles) south on K-177 to drive thru the heart of the Flint Hills to Cassoday, KS near I-35. http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Flint/flint1.html

Frontier Military Scenic Byway – 168 miles - Fort Leavenworth following US-69, I-435, K-5 and Alternate US-69 south to Baxter Springs, KS. http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Frontier/frontier1.html

Glacial Hills Scenic Byway – 63 miles - White Cloud, KS on K-7 to Leavenworth, KS www.lvarea.com/cvb, http://www.atchisonkansas.net/, http://www.dpcountyks.com/ or http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Glacial/glacial1.html

Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway – 42 miles - Coldwater, KS, take US-160 to Medicine Lodge, KS http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Gypsum/gypsum1.html
(email: rcandd1@ink.org)

Native Stone Scenic Byway – 50 miles - exit 328 on I-70 follow K-99 south to K-4, then east on K-4 to exit 353 on I-70 west of Topeka, KS http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Native/native1.html
(email: wcedc@earthlink.net)

Post Rock Scenic Byway – 18 miles - Lucas, KS south on K-232 to Wilson, KS http://www.lucaskansas.com/, www.skyways.lib.ks.us/Kansas/town/Lucas or http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Post/post1.html

Prairie Trail Scenic Byway - 57 miles - intersection of K-140 and K-141 southwest of Salina, KS, follow K-141 south to K-4 east to Roxbury, KS, south to Canton, KS. http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Prairie/prairie1.html

Smoky Valley Scenic Byway – 60 miles - WaKeeney, Ks (http://www.wakeeney.com/) south on US-283 to Ransom, KS, east on K-4 to Brownell, KS, north on US-147 to Ogallah, KS http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Smoky/smoky1.html
(email: wildflowermary@yahoo.com)

Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway – 76 miles - the intersection of K-4 and US-281 (38 miles south of Russell Kansas/I-70) east to a point just west of Claflin, US, south to K-156, southwest to (route includes K-4, Cr2-30, K-156, RS-980, RS-554, RS-506, and Rs-636)………south to K-19, east thru salt marshes, then south 7 miles, then west to US-281 (nearby town, Hudson, KS). http://www.visitgreatbend.com/ or
http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Wetlands/wetlands1.html


Santa Fe Trail – Independence, MO to Cimarron, KS, then southwest for the Cimarron Route to Elkhart, KS or west from Cimarron, KS to Coolidge, KS for the Mountain Route. Visit www.nps.gov/safe for more details.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Vineyards and Wineries

Vineyards and Wineries - http://kansasgrapesandwines.com/

Campbell Vineyard & Winery, Holton, KS - www.campbellwinery.com

Davenport Orchards, Vineyard & Winery, Eudora, KS

Dozier Vineyard & Winery, Ellinwood, KS - http://www.dozier-winery.com/

Graue Vineyards/Middle Creek Winery, Louisburg, KS

Heimhof Winery & Gift Shop, Leavenworth, KS - http://www.heimhofwines.com/

Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery, Basehor, KS - http://www.holyfieldwinery.com/

Jefferson Hill Farm & Winery, McLouth, KS

Kugler’s Vineyard, Lawrence, KS

Ozlandia Winery, Wamego, KS

Pome on the Range Orchards & Winery, Williamsburg, KS - http://www.pomeontherange.com/

Slough Creek Vineyard & Winery, Oskaloosa, KS - http://www.sloughcreekvineyard.com/

Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery, Salina, KS - http://www.kansaswine.com/

Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Somerset, KS - http://www.somersetridge.com/

Storey Vineyards/Windswept Winery, Udall, KS

Windswept Winery, Udall, KS - http://www.windsweptwinery.com/

Wyldewood Cellars Winery & Gift Shop, Mulvane, KS - http://www.elderberry.net/ or www.wyldewoodcellars.com

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Museums

Kansas Museums - http://skyways.lib.ks.us/museums/index.html

Antique Stutz Fire Engine-Fire House Museum, Seneca, KS

Beattie Heritage Museum and Archives, Beattie, KS - http://www.marshallco.net/

Big Brutus, Inc., West Mineral, KS - http://www.bigbrutus.org/

Burlingame Schuyler Museum, Burlingame, KS - http://www.burlingameks.gov/

Butterfield Trail Museum, Russell Springs, KS - http://www.discoveroakley.com/

Carry A. Nation Home and Stockade Museum, Medicine Lodge, KS

Central States Scouts Museum, Larned, KS - http://www.larnedks.org/

Chetopa Historical Museum, Chetopa, KS - http://www.chetopacity.org/

Cheyenne County Museum, St. Francis, KS - http://www.stfranciskansas.com/

Clearwater Historical Museum, Clearwater, KS - http://www.clearwaterhistoricalsociety.com/

Cole House Museum, Moundridge, KS - http://www.moundridge.com/

Comanche County Historical Museum, Coldwater, KS - http://www.coldwaterkansas.com/

Czech Memorial Museum, Jennings, KS - www.skyways.org/town/Jennings/museum

Dalton Defenders Museum, Coffeyville, KS - http://www.coffeyville.com/

Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum, Oberlin, KS - www.rootsweb.com/~ksdclirm

Ellis Railroad Museum & Doll Display, Ellis, Kansas - http://www.ellis.ks.us/

El Quartelejo Museum, Scott City, KS

Fick Fossil and History Museum, Oakley, KS (exit 76) - http://www.discoveroakley.com/ or http://www.oakley-kansas.com/

Fort Wallace Museum, Wallace, KS - http://www.ftwallace.com/

Glasco Community Historical Museum, Glasco, KS - http://www.hwy24.org/

Halstead Heritage Museum & Depot, Halstead, KS - http://www.halsteadkansas.com/

Indian Pay Stations and Museum, St. Marys, KS - http://www.saintmarys.com/

Kansas Territorial Capital Museum, Lecompton, KS - http://www.lecomptonkansas.com/

LCL buffalo Ranch & Antique Farm Equipment and Vehicle Museum, Clifton, KS - http://www.washingtoncountyks.net/

Lincoln Historical Museum Complex, Lincoln, KS - http://www.lincolnkansaschamber.com/

Linn County Museum/Genealogy Library, Pleasanton, KS - http://www.linncountyks.com/

Kansas Barbed Wire Museum, La Crosse, KS - www.rushcounty.org/BarbedWireMuseum

Kauffman Museum, North Newton, KS - www.bethelks.edu/kauffman

Marion Historical Museum, Marion, KS - http://www.cityofmarion.kansasgov.com/

McCracken Historical Museum, McCracken, KS - http://www.mccrackenalumni.com/

McCracken 1901 Post Rock City Jail Museum, McCracken, KS -
http://www.mccrackenalumni.com/

Meade County Historical Museum, Meade, KS - http://www.meadecountyecodevo.com/

Mennonite Heritage Museum, Goessel, KS - www.skyways.org/museums/goessel

Morton County Historical Museum, Elkhart, KS - www.mtcoks.com/museum

Native American Heritage Museum State Historic Site, Highland, KS - www.kshs.org/places/nativeamerican

Nemaha County Historical Museum, Seneca, KS

Peabody Historical Complex, Peabody, KS - http://www.peabodyks.com/

Osage County Historical Society Museum, Lyndon, KS

Old Depot Museum, Ottawa, KS - http://www.old.depot.museum/

Oswego Historical Museum and Genealogical Society, Oswego, KS - www.oswegokansas.com/chamber/hs.html

Oz Museum, (exit 328/I-70) Wamego, KS - http://www.ozmuseum.com/

Pony Express Museum, Seneca, KS

Post Rock Museum, La Crosse, KS - www.rushcounty.org/PostRockMuseum

Post Rock Scout Museum, Lincoln, KS - http://www.lincolnkansaschamber.com/

Republic County Historical Museum, Belleville, KS - http://www.bellevilleks.org/

Roniger Memorial Museum, Cottonwood Falls, KS – http://www.chasecountychamber.org/

Scandia Museum, Scandia, KS - http://www.bellevilleks.org/

Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, KS - http://www.stauthmemorialmuseum.org/

Trego County Historical Society Museum, WaKeeney, KS - http://www.wakeeney.org/

Wakefield Museum, Wakefield, KS - www.cckansas.org/wakefield/index.php

Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum, Ellis, KS - http://www.elliskansas.com/

Washington County Historical Museum & Genealogy Library, Washington, KS - www.skyways.org/genweb/Washington

Waterville Depot & 1925 Caboose Museums, Waterville, KS - http://www.marshallco.net/

Yesterday House Museum & Depot, Lincoln, KS - http://www.lincolnkansaschamber.com/

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Historic Sites

Historic Siteshttp://www.kshs.org/places/sites.htm

Chase County Courthouse, Cottonwood Falls, KS - http://www.chasecountyks.org/

Constitution Hall State Historic Site, Lecompton, KS - http://www.lecomptonkansas.com/

Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site, Studley, KS - www.kshs.org/places/cottonwood/index.htm

El Quartelejo Pueblo Ruins, Scott City, KS

Kaw Indian Mission State Historic Site, Council Grove, KS - http://www.councilgrove.com/ and www.kshs.org/places/kaw/index.htm

Louis Vieux Historical Site, St. Marys, KS - http://www.saintmarys.com/

Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Pleasanton, KS - www.kshs.org/places/minecreek/

Native American Heritage Museum State Historic Site, Highland, KS - www.kshs.org/places/nativeamerican/index.htm

Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site, Republic, KS -http://www.kshs.org/places/pawneeindian/index.htm

Pawnee Rock, Pawnee Rock, KS -
http://www.kshs.org/places/pawneerock/index.htm

Shawnee Indian Mission, Fairway, KS (near Kansas City) - http://www.kshs.org/places/shawnee/index.htm

Squaws Den Battleground, Scott City, KS

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Preserves

Big Basin Prairie Preserve, Minneola, KS (40 miles south of Dodge City, KS) http://www.naturalkansas.org/bigbasin.htm

Konza Prairie, Manhattan, KS - www.ksu.edu/konza

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City, KS - www.nps.gov/tapr, http://www.naturalkansas.org/tallgras.htm, http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=630 or related site: http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?aid=5

Wilcox School, WaKeeney, KS - http://www.ksbyways.org/

Z Bar/Spring Hill Ranch Headquarters at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City, KS - http://www.chasecountychamber.org/

Monday, August 4, 2008

Wildlife Area and Refuge

Wildlife Area and Refuge - http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - http://www.fws.gov/

Baker Wetlands Research and Natural Area, Lawrence, KS http://www.visitlawrence.com/

Byron Walker Wildlife Area, Kingman, KS - http://www.kingmanks.com/ and http://www.naturalkansas.org/byron.htm

Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Hoisington, KS (near Great Bend, KS) -
http://www.cheyennebottoms.net/ and http://www.naturalkansas.org/cheyenne.htm

Cimarron National Grassland, Elkhart, KS - www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/cim and http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=2946 or http://www.naturalkansas.org/cimarron.htm

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, Neosho Rapids, KS (near Emporia, KS) - http://flinthills.fws.gov/ and http://www.naturalkansas.org/ or http://www.naturalkansas.org/seks.htm#Flint

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, http://www.naturalkansas.org/kirwin.htm

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, http://www.naturalkansas.org/marais.htm

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, Canton, KS (30 miles southeast of Salina, KS) - www.cyberkraft.com/maxwell and http://www.naturalkansas.org/

McPherson Valley Wetlands, McPherson, KS - http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/

Milford and Steve Lloyd Wetlands Area, Wakefield, KS - http://www.cckansas.org/

Mined Land Wildlife Area, Columbus, KS - http://www.naturalkansas.org/mined2023.htm and http://www.naturalkansas.org/mined.htm

Neosho Wildlife Area, St. Paul, KS (near Pittsburgh, KS) - http://www.naturalkansas.org/neosho.htm

Pratt Sandhills and Texas Lake Wildlife Area - http://www.naturalkansas.org/swks.htm#Pratt

Sandsage Bison Range & Wildlife Area, Garden City, KS - http://www.fosbr.com/ and http://www.naturalkansas.org/sandsage.htm

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Hudson, KS (near Great Bend, KS) - www.fws.gov/quivira and http://www.naturalkansas.org/quivira.htm

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Points of Interest

Alcove Spring, Blue Rapids, KS - www.skyways.org/town/bluerapids

Arikaree Breaks, St. Francis, KS - http://www.stfranciskansas.com/ or www.naturalkansas.org

A.T.& S.F. 1909 Pratt Truss Iron Bridge, Melvern, KS

Big Well, Greensburg, Ks - http://www.bigwell.org/

Brown Opera House/Brown Grand Theatre, Concordia, KS - http://www.browngrand.org/

Buffalo Bill Bronze Sculpture, Oakley, KS - http://www.discoveroakley.com/

Castle Rock, Gove County (south of Quinter, KS, exit 107), Quinter, KS - http://www.discoverquinter.com/ or http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=3969&QString=Keywords%3Dcastle%2520rock or related site: http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=1915

Cimarron Historic Hotel, Cimarron, KS

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Statue, Marion, KS - http://www.marioncountyks.org/

Clyde Historical Society, Clyde, KS

Dalton Gang Hideout Museum & Souvenir Shop, Meade, KS - http://www.daltonhideout.tripod.com/

Dorothy’s House and The Land of OZ, Liberal, KS - http://www.dorothyshouse.com/

El Quartelejo Indian Pueblo, Scott City, KS

Grainfield Opera House, Grainfield, KS - http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/gove/opera%20house/opera.html

Gray County Wind Farm, Montezuma, KS

Historic Hand-Dug Well, Westmoreland, KS - http://www.westyonline.com/

Historic Jail, Mound Valley, Ks

Historic Main Street District, Council Grove, KS - http://www.councilgrove.com/

Historic Santa Fe Depot/Library, Marion, KS - http://www.cityofmarion.kansasgov.com/

Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site, Hanover, KS - www.kshs.org/places/hollenberg/

Holm Cabin, Blue Rapids, KS - www.skyways.org/town/bluerapids

Large Hand-Dug Well, Seneca, KS

Lone Star Lake Bison Ranch, Overbrook, KS - http://www.lonestarbison.com/

Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty, Medicine Lodge, KS - http://www.peacetreaty.org/

McPherson Opera House, McPherson, KS - http://www.mcphersonoperahouse.org/

Monument Rocks National Landmark, Gove County (south of Oakley, KS, exit 76) - http://www.discoveroakley.com/ or http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=4669&QString=Keywords%3Dmonument%2520rocks or related site: http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=1915

Mount Sunflower – Highest Point in Kansas, Weskan, KS - www.dimensional.com/~jbettin/air/ks000.htm

Nicodemus National Historic Site, Nicodemus, KS - www.nps.gov/nico or http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?LID=3677

Old Stone Church, Seneca, KS

Oregon Trail Nature Park and Silo Mural, St. Marys, KS - http://www.saintmarys.com/

Oregon Trail Park, Westmoreland, KS - http://www.westyonline.com/

Ralph’s Ruts on the Santa Fe Trail, Chase, KS

Rock Creek Valley Historical Society Museum Complex, Westmoreland, KS - http://www.westyonline.com/

Philip Houston House, Rexford, KS - http://www.shepherdstaff.org/

Santa Fe Trail Center, Larned, KS - www.awav.net/trailctr/

Santa Fe Trail Tracks, Dodge City, KS (nine miles west on US-50) – www.visitdodgecity.org

St. Bridget Catholic Church, Axtell, KS - http://www.marshallcoks.com/axtell

St. Fidelis Church – Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS - www.kansastravel.org/cathedraloftheplains.htm

Trego County Courthouse, WaKeeney, KS - http://www.wakeeney.org/

Waller-Coolbaugh 20th-Century House, Stockton, KS - http://www.rookscounty.net/

Water Tower, Paradise, KS - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise, KS

Waterville Opera House, Waterville, KS - http://www.marshallco.net/

World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City, KS - www.skyways.org/towns/CawkerCity

Yellow Brick Road Visitor Center, Sedan, KS - www.skyways.org/towns/Sedan/

Friday, August 1, 2008

World War II Military Installations

The USAAF established fifteen airfields (AAF), under the command of Second Air Force, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado between 1942 and 1945. These were: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_World_War_II_Army_Airfields)

Coffeyville Army Airfield (Now Coffeyville Municipal Airport) (CFV)

Dodge City Army Airfield (Closed)

Fairfax Army Airfield (Closed)

Garden City Army Airfield (Now Garden City Regional Airport) (GCK)

Great Bend Army Airfield (Now Great Bend Municipal Airport) (GBD)

Herington Army Airfield (Now Herington Regional Airport) (HRU)

Independence Army Airfield (Now Independence Municipal Airport) (IDP)

Liberal Army Airfield (Now Liberal Municipal Airport) (LBL)

Marshall Army Airfield (Military) (FRI)

Pratt Army Airfield (Now Pratt Industrial Airport) (PTT)

Sherman Army Airfield (Military/Civil Joint Use) (FLV)

Smoky Hill Army Airfield (Now Salina Municipal Airport) (SLN)

Strother Army Airfield (Now Strother Field) (WLD)

Topeka Army Airfield (Now Forbes Field) (FOE)

Walker Army Airfield (Closed)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008